It is understood that Gardaí in Co Wicklow are investigating suspected criminal damage by fire after an incident occurred at approximately 3.20am on Friday 21 January.

The fire service were made aware of a “hay shed fire” – a fire service term used to describe any fire in an agricultural building - in the Ashford area of Co Wicklow.

No animals or fodder are thought to have been affected by the blaze, although at least one tractor, a baler and two cars were significantly damaged.

“There was extensive damage to a shed which had a considerable amount of farm machinery,” a representative from Wicklow fire services has said.

Fire service units from Wicklow and Greystones attended the scene for a period of two hours.

Gardaí have said that the scene was preserved for a technical examination and that no arrests have been made at this time.

Separate incident

Gardaí have also opened investigations into a separate incident of suspected criminal damage by fire in the area on the same night.

A car was damaged during the incident and no arrests have been made at this time in relation to this incident either, according to an Garda Síochána.

Investigations into both incidents are still ongoing.